I am running into one more significant problem. After aligning the steering shaft spline to the coupler then installing all the switches back up and tightening the new column down on on the 4 mounting nuts, the shaft spline does not appear to fit all the way into the U-joint coupling where the steering coupler bolt needs to go. The 4 mounting nuts have been torqued down to factory specs however it appears that the shaft doesn't fit and I can't figure out why. Is it possible that the intermediate shaft recesses back towards the steering linkage through the firewall if its been sitting unattached for a day or two? I'm not sure what to do here, any suggestions? I believe that spline needs to plug all the way into the coupler u-joint before installing the coupler bolt (so I shouldn't be able to see any of the splines)?

 

I tried to "wrestle them together" but the intermediate shaft will not budge. I'm guessing that it recessed back through the firewall and will maybe need to jack the front wheels of the jeep off the ground to give the shaft more play so I can wrestle them together? Right now the steering column is mounted and torqued down on the 4 mounting nuts, so there is no more play for it to go back towards the coupler...it's gotta be that intermediate shaft?

 

You may have to drop your 4 bolts, but not all switches, support the column on the seat or a bucket, then mount the shaft to the steering box, tighten the bolt. Pull column up into place and bolt it down. I hope this helps.

 

I figured it all out and everything is hooked up and working. Drove into work today. The intermediate shaft slides in and out of the firewall on some sort of hydraulic system and then the splines on the steering column shaft fit into that coupler in a very specific fashion. So i just had to line everything up and wrestle it together. All set. This was a project...not a lot of work, but definitely one of the tighter spaces ive had to work in to compelte. I will post pics and instructions on the site here soon for anyone who needs to ever do this as it seems like these jeeps get stolen quite often.

Thanks again for everyone's advice.

 

I'm sure glad this worked out for ya. I've had 2 jeeps stolen and I had changed one out only to find I had the wrong column, and had to start over. It's a pain but you have to do what it takes to keep from paying someone else to do it. Good job!

 

Sooo since your in denver... what are the details to everything. Is yours a sweet jeep that they stripped or what? Just happen to find it the next day?

 

Hey EeeSkwa

My 2000 jeep cherokee just got stolen and got it back and now need to do the same as you did. Any possibility of getting the detail/steps on completing this. Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

of course, I am at work now but will send you/post some instructions when i get home tonight. The first step is to figure out if they busted the metal "sleeve" around the ignition lock cylinder. If so then you will need to replace the whole steering column like I did. After that you will need to figure out what type of steering column you need. With or without sentry key immobilizer? tilit or no tilt? AT or Manual ? and year.

 

yes, they did bust the sleeve, it does have tilt, and i can start with screw driver, so i'm assuming no immobilizer and it is AT. I'm looking for replacement now in local JY, i've found a couple but they are a little expensive ($175).

 

That sounds about the right price range, make sure you get the tilt or no tilt depending on what you had before too. So one you purchase the right steering column, make sure your steering wheel and clockspring are still okay (should be if you can still drive it with a screwdriver). I will PM you some directions.

 

Thanks so much for your help here. Really appreciate you taking the time to put the recipe together for me.